Former WMC CAO Dahlen to lead South Dakota organization

Tuesday, July 22, 2014 8:40 AM

Gretchen Dahlen, former chief administrative officer (CAO) at Winneshiek Medical Center (WMC), has been appointed interim president/chief executive officer of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO).
SDAHO provides a unified voice for healthcare across South Dakota in Pierre and in Washington DC.
"My goal is to bring a listening ear with candid conversations about the work that is done on behalf of SDAHO members and lead this vibrant organization through the next phase," said Dahlen.
Dahlen resigned from WMC in May after serving two years as CAO.
“Dahlen brings extensive healthcare leadership experience, strategy development expertise and a strong record of accomplishments to the interim position,” said Angie Bakke, director of communications and marketing for SDAHO.
In addition to past chief executive roles in critical access and community hospitals, Dahlen has worked with tertiary healthcare systems, long-term care, and home health-agencies, and has provided seminars and consulting services to Fortune 500 companies and winners of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
On top of her full-time executive work, Dahlen is serving a six-year volunteer term on the national board of directors for AARP. She also founded and operates ConsumerHealthRatings.com.
Dahlen will serve under a professional services contract with The Dahlen Company, LLC, through December or until a permanent CEO is recruited for SDAHO. A national search is currently underway through Witt/Kieffer.